Bosses at the Galleon Leisure Centre have been forced to close the ice rink until January due to emergency repairs.

Leaking pipes were discovered during a six-figure upgrade of the Titchfield Street – the first since it opened 26 years ago.

But that flagged up corrosion issues under the ice, meaning extra work to put the situation right.

Ice hockey, figure skating and curling clubs will all have to start their seasons later than usual as this month’s normal opening of the flagship site has now been postponed.

The repairs will now cost in excess of £200,000, on top of the original £450,000 grant the centre was given from Sportscotland, the Galleon Trust and East Ayrshire Council for the initial upgrade.

Galleon general manager, David Carey, told the Kilmarnock Standard: “We have written to each of our clubs who use the rink and explained the situation to them.

“It is a problem that is out of our hands. The repairs were needed, due to European Union standards, and the R22 refrigerant legislation.

“We will do whatever we can to assist our members.”

The delays mean many clubs which use the facilities at Titchfield Street will have to find another rink for training sessions and games.

Kilmarnock Junior Ice Hockey Club will use Ayr Ice Rink for training and matches. The club’s Heather Snaddon admits it is an inconvenience but said: “The Galleon have told us everything they can and have kept us in the loop when possible.

“Obviously it is an inconvenience not being able to use the Galleon’s facilities, but there isn’t anything we or they can do about it at the moment.

“Fortunately we have the facilities in Ayr to use at the moment, but we’ll be looking to get back to Kilmarnock as soon as possible.”

A council spokeswoman said: “East Ayrshire Council fully supports the work that is being carried out to bring the ice rink up to a standard equal to the aspirations of local club users.

“While the delay to the essential maintenance work is frustrating, we must look to the future.”